In Engel v. Vitale, why did the courts rule that prayer in schools was unconstitutional? The prayer took time away from instruction. The prayer was considered a religious activity. The prayer promoted one religion. The prayer was required in the school.

In Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the short prayer required in New York schools was considered a religious activity and it is impermissible for a government funded institution to be in any way involved in the establishment of a prayer.

Answer: it was considered a religious activity